Telescoping guide arrangement for individually lowering ring holders

ABSTRACT

Telescoping guide arrangement for individually lowering ring holders.

States Patent Inventor Peter Martin Pfylier Winter-(bur, Switzerland Appl. No. 851,133,

Filed July 23, 1969 Patented July 6, 1971 Assignee Bitter Machine Works, Ltd.

Wlnterthur, Switzerland Priority July 25, 1968 Switzerland TIELMKXDWNG GUIDE ARRANGEMENT FOR WWKJALLY LOWERING RING HOLDERS 19 CI 7 US. Cl. S7/ 137, 57/54, 57/122 [51] Int.Cl D0lh 7/64 [50] Field of Search 57/1, 54, 136, 137, 122

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,211,731 8/1940 Paterson 57/137 2,758,439 8/1956 Bradshaw. 57/136 2,976,670 3/1961 Vella 57/137 3,044,249 7/1962 Ancarani 57/122 Primary Examiner-John Petrakes Auomey-Werner W. Kleeman ABSTRACT: Telescoping guide arrangement for individually lowering ring holders.

TELESCOIPING GUIDE ARRANGEMENT FOR INDIVIDUALLY LOWIEIRING RING HOLDERS the ring rail, said hollow guide member being coupled with the ring rail so that it follows the traversing movement.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Telescoping guide arrangements for individually lowering ring holders are generally known on drawtwisting machines which are used for drawing and twisting synthetic endless fila merits. Particularly in starting up the drawing process or also for exchanging full packages against empty tubes"the ring holder guide member must be uncoupled from the ring rail and together with the ring holder must be lowered to a certain position. After completion of one of the desired operations the ring holder together with the guide member is lifted and again coupled to the ring rail.

The requirements for such telescoping guide arrangements for individually lowering ring holders in particular are easy slidability of the ring holder guide member during the lowering and lifting of the ring holder without danger of jamming, sufficient stability of the ring holder guide member uncoupled from the ring rail particularly in its lowest position, ease of mounting and centering the ring holder with respect to the spindle axis, and no impairing of the ring holder movement induced by the ring rail traversing motion and thus no impairing of the package build. There was no lack of attempts to design telescoping guide arrangements fulfilling the requirements desired for trouble-free lowering and lifting of the ring holder and for guiding the ring holder guide member in its lowest position.

In a known winding arrangement of a ring-twisting machine a box-shaped guide member for the twisting ring is provided which vertically slides along two guide rods and which can be coupled with the ring rail by means of a locking mechanism. While the hollow, box-shaped guide member is not locked in its operating position it surrounds the two guide rods leaving a clearance which makes possible a displacement of the ring holder during lowering and lifting movements. In the operat ing position theguide member is pressed at right angles against the guide rods by a clamping plate which is clamped on if the guide member is coupled so that the clearance between the guide member and the guide rods is eliminated. In order to ensure sufficient stability of the guide member in this known design two parallel guide rods are needed for each ring holder. The clamping device needed for eliminating the clearance in coupling the guide member to the ring rail is subject to considerable wear and implies a complicated uncoupling mechanism for the ring holder.

In a telescoping guide arrangement, consisting of a ring holder guide member and of a guide rod rigidly connected to the ring rail in which the guide member completely surrounds, and slides along, the guide rod and can be detachably connected to the ring rail, the guide member is guided on its outside by an additional guide element mounted on the spindle rail. In this arrangement, however, there is a danger of undesirable friction between the guide member andgthe additional guide element mounted on the spindle rail during each traversing cycle. Such telescoping guide mechanisms thus imply high precision in mounting and setting if the occurrence of undesirable friction is to be avoided.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION of the prior art.

It is a further object of the invention to provide such a telescoping guide means which operates with a minimum of friction thus avoiding undue wear on the component parts thereof.

These as well as other objects of the invention which will become apparent as the description proceeds, are implemented by the present invention characterized by a telescoping guide arrangement for individually lowering ring holders of drawtwisting machines, consisting of a hollow guide member which is rigidly connected to the ring holder, takes up a guide rod rigidly connected to the ring rail and is coupled to the ring rail so that it follows the traversing motion. The invention is additionally characterized in that the ring holder guide member is additionally guided by an internal auxiliary guide element while his uncoupled from the ring rail and lowered with respect to the latter.

In the telescoping guide arrangement according to the invention e.g. an additional fastening or external guide respectively of the ring holder guide member slidably arranged on the guide rod is avoided while it is uncoupled from the ring rail and lowered with respect to the later. The ring holder guide member can be arranged in the machine frame, connected merely to the ring rail. The telescoping guide arrangement according to the invention eliminates, especially in operating position, friction unfavorably influencing the traversing movement during the traversing cycle which occurs due to jamming of e.g. an externally guided ring holder guide member. The guide member is stabilized by the internal auxiliary guide in any uncoupled position lowered with respect to the ring rail.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The telescoping guide arrangement of this invention will be better understood, and additional objects and advantages thereof will become apparent, from the following detailed description of the invention, taken in conjunction with the accompanying sheets of drawings, in which:

FIG. I represents schematically a longitudinal section of a telescoping guide arrangement according to this invention, the ring holder being partially cut away and shown in its operating position;

' FIG. 2 is a transverse section taken along lines 11-11 of Fig. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic view similar to FIG. I showing the ring holder in its lowered position; and,

FIG. 4! is a schematic view similar to FIG. 3 on a reduced scale, showing an alternative embodiment of the telescoping guide arrangement.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Describing now the drawings, in a telescoping guide arrangement for individually lowering ring holders according to the invention, as shown in FIG. 1 in an operating position of a ring rail, a known ring holder 11 supporting a twisting ring 2 is mounted in known manner on a hollow guide member 3 of rectangular cross section. Guide member 3, in order to follow the traversing motion, is coupled to ring rail 5 by means of a spring hook 4 and extends downwardly from ring holder 1 so far that in any operating position of ring rail 5 it extends below the upper edge ofa spindle rail 6. Guide member 3, open at its upper and lower ends (not shown in FIG. ll), takes up or receives a guide rod 7 which is rigidly connected to ring rail 5 and the portion of which inserted fully into guide member 3 in the working position is shorter than guide member 3. Guide member 3 when in its uncoupled condition from the ring rail 5 is slidable down and up along guide rod 7. In the guide rod 7, the lower end of which is open, there is located a likewise vertically slidable auxiliary guide rod 8 equipped with sleeves 9 and I0 fully surrounding the wider sides of the auxiliary guide rod 8, as shown for sleeve 9 in FIG. 2. In the operating or working position, the auxiliary guide rod 8 with the upper sleeve 9 is inserted into guide rod 7 to such an extent that the lower end of the auxiliary guide rod b together with sleeve 10 protrudes downwardly from guide rod 7, sleeve 10 thus being located inside guide member 3. Complete insertion of the auxiliary guiderod 8 into guide rod 7 is prevented by sleeve T0, the outside ofwhich is flush with guide rod 7. Sleeves 9 and ill extend from the upper and lower ends of auxiliary guide rod 8 towards each other merely over short distances, as needed for reliably guiding such auxiliary guide rod inside the guide rod 7 and inside the guide member 3. The outside dimensions of sleeve 9 are adapted to the inside dimensions of guide rod 7 and the outside dimensions of sleeve MD to the inside dimensions of guide member 3 so that the auxiliary guide rod 8 is slidable inside guide rod 7 and inside guide member 3 respectively without appreciable friction. In order for trouble-free slidability of the whole telescoping guide mechanism the cross sections of guide rod 7, auxiliary guide rod 8 and sleeves 9 and 10 are oval (FIG. 2), i.e. rounded at their smaller sides. The

auxiliary guide rod 8 is set off on its longitudinal side so that recesses 11 and 12 are formed. Furthermore, there are provided a locking device formed by a pin i3 inserted across the wider sides of the cross section shown in FIG. 2 of guide rod 7 and a projection on ring holder l, the function of which will be described in the following with reference to FIG. 2. A locking device 14 at the lower end of guide member 3, formed by a pin inserted across the wider sides of the cross section shown in FIG. 2 of guide member 3, keeps the auxiliary guide rod 8 in its inserted position and prevents its dropping.

In FIG. 3 there is shown the telescoping guide mechanism of FIG. I with the position of the ring rail unchanged, but the ring holder 1, however, lowered into its lowest position, resulting in its projection 15 resting against the spindle rail 6. Guide member 3 together with ring holder l are uncoupled from the ring rail 5 and lowered to the desired lowest position. A short portion of guide rod 7 still is inserted into guide member 3 and to acertain extent guides the upper portion of guide member 3. Auxiliary guide rod 8 has slid down out of guide rod 7 and recess ll resting on locking device l3 keeps auxiliary guide rod 8 from completely sliding out of guide rod 7 inasmuch as locking device 14 in the completely lowered position of guide member 3 no longer is effective. The auxiliary guide rod 8 is telescoped so far into the guide member 3 that sleeve it) is positioned in the lower part of guide member 3, to to thus secure guide member 3 against lateral displacement and to guide same by means of the auxiliary guide rod 8. During the downstroke of ring rail 5, and thus of guide rod into the guide member 3, the auxiliary guide rod 8 is carried on downwardly by locking device 13 resting upon recess Eli, and it can slide down in guide member 3 until it contacts locking device 14, whereupon such auxiliary guide rod is inserted upwardly in relation to the guide rod 7 into the latter, guide rod '7 being lowered further. During the upstroke of the ring rail 5 this sequence of movements is reversed. During the upstroke and downstroke or movement of the ring rail 5 the ring holder guide member 3 is guided by the auxiliary guide rod 8. Also during the lowering and lifting of ring holder ll, i.e. while guide member 3 is displaced between the two positions as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 respectively, the auxiliary guide rod telescopes in relation to the movement of ring rail 5 out of guide rod 7 and into guide member 3, and vice versa respectively, and guides the guide member 3 by preventing lateral displacement orjamming of the latter.

FIG. 4 shows another embodiment of the telescoping guide arrangement, the ring holder l7 mounted in known manner onto hollow guide member 16 or rectangular cross section resting with its projection it; on a spindle rail 19. Guide member 16, open at its upper and lower ends, takes up or houses a guide rod 20 which is rigidly connected to a ring rail (not shown). A short portion of the lower part of the guide rod 20 is inserted into the upper part of guide member 16, the latter being slidably arranged on guide rod 20. Inside guide rod 20, the lower end of which is open, a likewise slidable auxiliary guide rod 21 is arranged which is provided with a longitudinal slot 22 with an upper recess 23. The auxiliary guide rod 21 drops under the influence of gravity out of guide rod 26) so far that it is caught by a pin 24; inserted into guide rod 24) across slot 22. The auxiliary guide rod 21 provided with a sleeve 25 at its lower end guides the guide member 16 in the lowered position shown in FIG. 4 as well as during the lowering and lifting of ring holder 17 and also while the ring rail and the guide rod 20 traverse up and down, and thus prevents a lateral displacement or jamming of guide member 16. During the lifting of ring holder 17 the auxiliary guide rod 21 is carried upon a pin 26 provided in the lower part ofguide member 116 and thus the guide rod 21 inserted upwardly into guide rod 2i) and held in place while the ring holder 17 is in operating position.

While there is shown and described present preferred embodiments of the invention, it is to be distinctly understood that the invention is not limited thereto but may be otherwise variously embodied and practiced within the scope of the following claims. ACCORDINGLY,

l claim:

I. A telescoping guide arrangement for individually lowering ring holders of drawtwisting machines, comprising a ring holder member, a ring rail having a traversing motion, a hollow ring holder guide member rigidly connected to said ring holder member and coupled to said ring rail so that it follows said traversing motion of said ring rail, a guide rod rigidly connected to said ring rail, said guide rod being taken up by said ring holder guide member, and an internal auxiliary guide means additionally guiding said ring holder guide member while said guide member is uncoupled from said ring rail and is lowered with respect to said ring rail.

2. A telescoping guide arrangement according to claim I, wherein said internal auxiliary guide means comprises an auxiliary guide rod.

3. A telescoping guide arrangement as defined in claim 2, wherein said auxiliary guide rod is shorter than said ring holder guide member, and is slidable vertically inside said guide rod and, in the uncoupled position of said ring holder guide member telescopes out of said guide rod and slidably into said guide member.

4. A telescoping guide arrangement as defined in claim 3, wherein said auxiliary guide rod is inserted downwardly over almost its entire length into said ring holder guide member while said ring holder is in its lowermost position.

5. A telescoping guide arrangement as defined in claim 3, wherein said auxiliary guide rod comprises a setoff portion along its length forming an upper and a lower recess.

6. A telescoping guide arrangement as defined in claim 5, wherein said setoff portion extends along an outside edge of said auxiliary guide rod.

'7. A telescoping guide arrangement as defined in claim 5, wherein said setoff portion comprises a slot.

8. A telescoping guide arrangement as defined in claim 5, wherein said auxiliary guide rod is held at said upper recess of said setoi'f portion by a locking means provided in the lower portion ofsaid guide rod.

9. A telescoping guide arrangement as defined in claim 3, wherein said locking means comprises a cylindrical pin inserted across the cross section of said guide rod.

W. A telescoping guide arrangement as defined in claim 9, wherein said pin extends across said setoff portion.

All. A telescoping guide arrangement as defined in claim 9, wherein said pin extends across said slot.

12. A telescoping guide arrangement as defined in claim 5, wherein said auxiliary guide rod is provided at its upper and lower ends each with a sleeve surrounding said auxiliary guide rod completely at its longer sides, said sleeves being arranged outside of said recesses of said setoff portion.

113. A telescoping guide arrangement as defined in claim 12, wherein the cross section of said sleeve at said lower end is of the same dimensions as said guide rod.

is. A telescoping guide arrangement as defined in claim 5, wherein the cross sections of said guide rod, of said auxiliary guide rod, and of said sleeves are rounded at their smaller sides, and said setoff portion extends along an outside edge of said auxiliary guide rod, said setoff portion extending along said side which in cross section is the smaller one.

V rectangular.

18. A telescoping guide arrangement as defined in claim 3, wherein the cross sections of said guide rod, of said auxiliary guide rod, and of said sleeves are rounded at their smaller sides.

19. A telescoping guide arrangement as defined in claim 18, wherein said'setofi portion comprises a slot, said slot being provided in the sides which in cross section are the larger ones. 

1. A telescoping guide arrangement for individually lowering ring holders of drawtwisting machines, comprising a ring holder member, a ring rail having a traversing motion, a hollow ring holder guide member rigidly connected to said ring holder member and coupled to said ring rail so that it follows said traversing motion of said ring rail, a guide rod rigidly connected to said ring rail, said guide rod being taken up by said ring holder guide member, and an internal auxiliary guide means additionally guiding said ring holder guide member while said guide member is uncoupled from said ring rail and is lowered with respect to said ring rail.
 2. A telescoping guide arrangement according to claim l, wherein said internal auxiliary guide means comprises an auxiliary guide rod.
 3. A telescoping guide arrangement as defined in claim 2, wherein said auxiliary guide rod is shorter than said ring holder guide member, and is slidable vertically inside said guide rod and, in the uncoupled position of said ring holder guide member telescopes out of said guide rod and slidably into said guide member.
 4. A telescoping guide arrangement as defined in claim 3, wherein said auxiliary guide rod is inserted downwardly over almost its entire length into said ring holder guide member while said ring holder is in its lowermost position.
 5. A telescoping guide arrangement as defined in claim 3, wherein said auxiliary guide rod comprises a setoff portion along its length forming an upper and a lower recess.
 6. A telescoping guide arrangement as defined in claim 5, wherein said setoff portion extends along an outside edge of said auxiliary guide rod.
 7. A telescoping guide arrangement as defined in claim 5, wherein said setoff portion comprises a slot.
 8. A telescoping guide arrangement as defined in claim 5, wherein said auxiliary guide rod is held at said upper recess of said setoff portion by a locking means provided in the lower portion of said guide rod.
 9. A telescoping guide arrangement as defined in claim 8, wherein said locking means comprises a cylindrical pin inserted across the cross section of said guide rod.
 10. A telescoping guide arrangement as defined in claim 9, wherein said pin extends acroSs said setoff portion.
 11. A telescoping guide arrangement as defined in claim 9, wherein said pin extends across said slot.
 12. A telescoping guide arrangement as defined in claim 5, wherein said auxiliary guide rod is provided at its upper and lower ends each with a sleeve surrounding said auxiliary guide rod completely at its longer sides, said sleeves being arranged outside of said recesses of said setoff portion.
 13. A telescoping guide arrangement as defined in claim 12, wherein the cross section of said sleeve at said lower end is of the same dimensions as said guide rod.
 14. A telescoping guide arrangement as defined in claim 5, wherein the cross sections of said guide rod, of said auxiliary guide rod, and of said sleeves are rounded at their smaller sides, and said setoff portion extends along an outside edge of said auxiliary guide rod, said setoff portion extending along said side which in cross section is the smaller one. l5. A telescoping guide arrangement as defined in claim 3, wherein a locking means is provided at the lower part of said guide member. l6. A telescoping guide arrangement as defined in claim 3, wherein said auxiliary guide rod is provided at its upper and lower ends each with a sleeve surrounding said auxiliary guide rod completely at its longer sides.
 17. A telescoping guide arrangement as defined in claim 3, wherein the cross section of said ring holder guide member is rectangular.
 18. A telescoping guide arrangement as defined in claim 3, wherein the cross sections of said guide rod, of said auxiliary guide rod, and of said sleeves are rounded at their smaller sides.
 19. A telescoping guide arrangement as defined in claim 18, wherein said setoff portion comprises a slot, said slot being provided in the sides which in cross section are the larger ones. 